Pietta History (some what)

[William Lincoln]

I think that the Lyman 1858 NMA was Aldo Uberti in the very beginning.
Later the Interarms Group supplied Lyman (a group of Italian makers in Bescia).
Now they are importing Pedersoli products. The manufacturing base is
now down to a half dozen quality makers in Italy, Spain (yes some are excellent)
and other places. Inferior products are "alleged" to be sourced from India
but others feel they are good. The market report on those items is really
right here with forum members.

 

[user 51067]

The reproduction market really got started with Navy Arms seeking out a company to make replica revolvers for the upcoming Civil War Centennial. Uberti was the first but other manufacturers soon jumped on the bandwagon as other importers wanted a piece of the action. From the start they were all making fully functional guns that had to be submitted to proof testing to be sold. Quality varied as did historical accuracy (many collectors were opposed to them being too close to originals) but no matter who made them they still had to pass proof to be sold. There have been companies (still are too) that made non-firing decorators and even blank only guns but they would not be proof marked as they were not considered real firearms and subject to proof laws and other legal restrictions.

As I stated quality varies, especially with some of the off brands, timing issues, poor fit of parts, weak springs are not unknown but the barrels and cylinders had to be strong enough to pass proof or they weren't going to make it to market. The introduction of modern CNC machines has improved the overall quality of the two main surviving companies, Uberti and Pietta, (the others mostly disappearing from the market) but there is still a bit of hand fitting involved. Ubertis still gets charged with short arbors on it's Colt type revolvers but otherwise seems to make a sound gun. Pietta seems to be producing a better fit and finished piece than they used to but their older guns were still decent. To claim that any of them were making dangerous junk in the past is a bit over the top.

Let us not forget "Centennial Arms" and their Belgian-made 1860 Army replica! I believe that that offering even preceded the Navy Arms replicas! I have a 1858 revolving carbine (proofed as Uberti) that is marked as Iver Johnson!

 

[springfield art]

Let us not forget "Centennial Arms" and their Belgian-made 1860 Army replica! I believe that that offering even preceded the Navy Arms replicas! I have a 1858 revolving carbine (proofed as Uberti) that is marked as Iver Johnson!

Wow! I forgot all about the name Centennial, and never 'heered' of the Iver! Great nostalgia on your part. We all see how older or rarer repro Black Powder guns have become collectible unto themselves.

 

[sawyer04]

This is an interesting post and maybe will encourage some research on the readers behalf. The stories behind the gun industry in Italy starts way earlier than pietta and uberti, even euro arms take over san Paolo. I think you will find that all the weapons for black powder have the Gardonne proof marks, back to the Armi san Marco and armi san Paolo., and are safe unless designated as such To be clear all the weapons, especially revolvers need some attention before they are completely satisfactory for the perfectionist. The cnc machining made a big, big improvement in parts fit and interchange. Not familiar with previous to 1970 euro arms, san Paolo

 

[fireman1]

tag to check my build dates.

 

[Whitworth]

As stated what was found in research, just spare time looking into I am not stating truth or validity just what was found. As far as grammar teachers, eh well sit and spin. And looking for "Proper Structure" perhaps one should get out from behind a keyboard and monitor, NO ONE uses proper grammar since the 1990`s. Have a nice day

Wrong, perhaps it's just "NO ONE" you know.

 

[user 48702]

I’ve gotten a little carried away in the past eight or ten years. Started with a ROA then a Pietta. (Traditions) 1860 Army, from there it’s blossomed into some 23 or so percussion revolvers. Uberti, Pietta, Armi San Marco, Armi San Palo and a couple of I don’t know who made it. Even have a carbine made by Burnside in Providence Rhode Island.
Of the all the four Ruger Old Armies are the best in fit. finish and function. But then the thread isn’t about American Made Guns.

The ROA is a great gun, but then again, just kind of looks like a Remington. I have had several, and sold one on the forum, but I prefer my Pietta Remington Shooter model with gain twist 1:17.7 rifling Lothar barrel, as well as standard Pietta and Uberti 1858 Remingtons.

 

[William Lincoln]

There were German, Belgian and Spanish revolver reproduction makers, but they were smaller
outfits whose guns were not imported in quantity. Hasn't someone published a history of
all of this yet?

 

[sawyer04]

There were German, Belgian and Spanish revolver reproduction makers, but they were smaller
outfits whose guns were not imported in quantity. Hasn't someone published a history of
all of this yet?

1971 we were in Germany and had some time while in Stuttgart. In a shop window was a revolver similar to new army; One of the fellows with us walked in and bought it. It was made in Germany by Rohm. It was well made, but a little odd from what we know as 1858 New Army. Back stateside it worked well without much fuss. So disgusting, can't find anything on the Rohm black powder, 38 caliber revolver. I don't suppose any of you have heard of such an animal?

 

[Springerpanhead]

1971 we were in Germany and had some time while in Stuttgart. In a shop window was a revolver similar to new army; One of the fellows with us walked in and bought it. It was made in Germany by Rohm. It was well made, but a little odd from what we know as 1858 New Army. Back stateside it worked well without much fuss. So disgusting, can't find anything on the Rohm black powder, 38 caliber revolver. I don't suppose any of you have heard of such an animal?

I have several Rohm drill chucks in my machine shop. I believe I got them from Graingers

 

[William Lincoln]

The Rohm Black Powder revolvers were imported by a Miami Importer along with the
"RG" Rohm revolvers. I have a nipple wrench for one. However, I have not seen one in
years. There is also a Colt Peacemaker clone that was supposed to be awesome. The
Germans still make some black powder guns. Generally German guns ,even cheap ones are
functionally good. I am trying to recall what I did with a Spanish revolver I had that was
super nice. Over the years I would sell off stuff and trade around things-- back in the day
these BP revolvers drew little buyer interest. Today the demand is growing. I am sure
someone on the forum has some German black powder revolvers.

 

[Texas Gil]

Let us not forget "Centennial Arms" and their Belgian-made 1860 Army replica! I believe that that offering even preceded the Navy Arms replicas! I have a 1858 revolving carbine (proofed as Uberti) that is marked as Iver Johnson!

That was my 1st ML, purchased used 1963. Hooked from then on!

 

[springfield art]

As stated what was found in research, just spare time looking into I am not stating truth or validity just what was found. As far as grammar teachers, eh well sit and spin. And looking for "Proper Structure" perhaps one should get out from behind a keyboard and monitor, NO ONE uses proper grammar since the 1990`s. Have a nice day

No one except those that value rules and tradition. Thumb-clicking doesn't translate into successful investing, medicine, science or business.

 

[Mogadishu Meanderer]

As stated what was found in research, just spare time looking into I am not stating truth or validity just what was found. As far as grammar teachers, eh well sit and spin. And looking for "Proper Structure" perhaps one should get out from behind a keyboard and monitor, NO ONE uses proper grammar since the 1990`s. Have a nice day

Most people here will just say “I stand corrected, my bad” instead of blaming it on “what was found” and “I am not stating truth or validity” to it. If you don’t believe it may be correct or true, why post it?? Particularly if is a safety issue. Most of you original post is BS at face value. I have an Uberti confederate navy, brass framed that has that has the Brescia?, May be Gardone proof marks for PN which indicates full functionality with real BP loads! It was made in 1984. I have been shooting BP for over 35 years now averaging 5,000 round balls a year, that’s right, 5,000 in different states and never heard the caps/prop gun BS! They were all made to be functional from the get go! And BTW, that “fact” that no one’s uses proper grammar since the 1990’s is certainly nothing to be proud of!

 

[user 51067]

I've been shooting black powder replicas (and originals) since I was 20 years old (1969). While (at the time) there were a few different "players" making replica arms, none to my knowledge were "display only" pieces. Some were of far better quality than others, but all were designed to function. Even the "original" offerings were never designed or intended to have thousands of rounds shot through them as we do today. Most pistols were lucky to have fired a hundred rounds in their entire existence!

 

[JCKelly]

When Samuel Colt went to get his revolvers made in Europe he signed an 1853 contract with a Belgian firm, who are still in business & that contract is still valid. Don't remember any names, join FROCS to get details. Anyway these Colts were too good/expensive. So when percussion revolvers were produced in quantity for our centennial, the Italian products better met the price and quality required to re-enact Mr. Lincoln's bloody war.

bbl marked "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK. Used by the late Paul Coulahan in the 7th Virginia Cavalry

https://www.1960nma.org/ FROCS web site

 

[user 48702]

I bought my first C&B revolver when I was age-13 (1970). It was a Navy Arms Griswold & Gunnison .44 brass frame. I couldn't say how many rounds I put through it in my teens, but I shot the stew out of it. I shot it so much with heavy loads, that I peened the wedge and I eventually had to replace the ram pivot screw because I bent it trying to use not so soft lead, but I was 13-14 YOA at the time and didn't know better. I still have it and shoot it occasionally, but it's mighty loose from being mistreated during my younger.

 

[user 51067]

When Samuel Colt went to get his revolvers made in Europe he signed an 1853 contract with a Belgian firm, who are still in business & that contract is still valid. Don't remember any names, join FROCS to get details. Anyway these Colts were too good/expensive. So when percussion revolvers were produced in quantity for our centennial, the Italian products better met the price and quality required to re-enact Mr. Lincoln's bloody war.
View attachment 101882
bbl marked "1960 NEW MODEL ARMY" CENTENNIAL TRADE MARK. Used by the late Paul Coulahan in the 7th Virginia Cavalry
View attachment 101883
https://www.1960nma.org/ FROCS web site

The Centennial Arms Colt "New Army" is an extremely well made piece! The only discernible difference (that I can see) from an "original" would be the shape of the forcing cone. I even have the "ultra-rare" shoulder stock!

 

[SOLANCO]

Wrong, perhaps it's just "NO ONE" you know.

If it is worth doing then it is worth doing well. To include speaking and writing. Thank you Whitworth.

 

[springfield art]

Most people here will just say “I stand corrected, my bad” instead of blaming it on “what was found” and “I am not stating truth or validity” to it. If you don’t believe it may be correct or true, why post it?? Particularly if is a safety issue. Most of you original post is BS at face value. I have an Uberti confederate navy, brass framed that has that has the Brescia?, May be Gardone proof marks for PN which indicates full functionality with real BP loads! It was made in 1984. I have been shooting BP for over 35 years now averaging 5,000 round balls a year, that’s right, 5,000 in different states and never heard the caps/prop gun BS! They were all made to be functional from the get go! And BTW, that “fact” that no one’s uses proper grammar since the 1990’s is certainly nothing to be proud of!

If I'm speaking to a physician, investment advisor, funeral director, human resources dep't. (that's 'personnel' to you older dudes), court officer, book editor, banker, etc., etc., they will be speaking properly. Just sayin', dudes.